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1938. NEW ZEALAND.

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION. (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 30th June, 1938. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 1,239, being an increase of forty during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. . . .. . . .. 16 Sub-Inspectors . . . . .. .. .. 6 Senior Sergeants . . . . .. .. 35 Sergeants .. . . .. . . .. .. 110 Constables .. .. .. . . .. . . 975 Senior Detectives . . .. .. .. . . 3 Detective-sergeants .. .... .. .. .. 29 Detectives .. .. . . .. .. .. 61 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons . . . . . . .. 15 Matrons .. . . . . .. .. .. 6 District constables .. . . . . .. .. 3 Native constable .. .. .. .. .. 1 There were also one hundred and eighty-nine temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919. The majority of these were appointed on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. Stations. New stations were established during the year at Kopuawhara, Kaeo, National Park, and Bruce Bay, and the station at Whangaroa was closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 5 ; retired as medically unfit, 6 ; died, 5 ; resigned voluntarily, 14 ; resigned compulsorily, 1 ; dismissed, 4 ; total, 35. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net increase of 3,181 on the figures of 1936. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-41 per cent., as against 2-23 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. - Breach of the peace or behaviour with intent 106 Maintenance offences .. .. . . 414 Breaches of prohibition orders .. . . 88 Mischief .. .. .. .. 266 Drunkenness . . . . .. .. 363 Being intoxicated in charge of a motorFalse pretences .. .. .. 215 vehicle .. .. .. . . 125 False statements and declarations . . 468 Minor breaches of Motor-vehicles Act .. 979 Forgery . . .. . . 54 Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. .. 92 Found on licensed premises after closing- 91 Ship-desertion . . . . . . 51 hours . . .. .. 91 Stealing postal packets, mail-bags, &c. . . 23 Selling or exposing liquor for sale without a Unlawfully on premises at night without license, and offences against provisions in criminal intent .. . . .. 34 force in no-license districts .. .. 64 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 32 Illegally supplying liquor to Natives .. 165

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